Notifcation Technology Improves Communication at CMU

Since the Central Alert emergency notification system was implemented in January, the biggest hurdle for Mike Reuter is being able to manage its power.

“We have overloaded the circuits before when doing tests,” he said. “When this happens no one is able to send or receive calls during that time.”

Reuter, manager of technical services at Central Michigan University, oversees the interface for Central Alert, a system which can send out more than 11,000 phone calls in a matter of 30 seconds.

Now he offsets the delivery of messages by a couple of seconds to avoid overloading the circuits again.

The system has more than 11,600 outlets registered to receive messages, which includes mediated classrooms, cell phones and loud speakers throughout CMU. This number continues to grow as more students and faculty register their cell phone numbers.

“I registered my phone last week,” said Lauren Shield, a Clinton Township senior. “It’s just good to be safe in case of an emergency. It’s convenient too, if there were a school closing or snow day.”

Since the beginning of the fall semester more than 1,000 students and faculty have registered with the alert system.

The technology is outsourced from 3n, a company specializing in mass notification system technologies. According to 3nonline.com, the company provides communication for than 2,000 corporations, healthcare systems, universities and government agencies.
Reuter is able to manage the system simply by logging into the company’s online interface.

The alert system is tested once a month by the Central Michigan Police Department. Reuter said there have been few problems during those tests.

“We have received some complaints from professors who were in the middle of lectures and the tests came on through their class,” Reuter said. “But other than that it’s been a smooth process and we are happy with the results.”

One of the best features of the system is its ability to pinpoint where there is an emergency.

“If there were a tornado on campus – we could send out a text and people could push a number on their phone if they needed help and we could go directly to the problem,” Reuter said.

For more information about the system or to register, login myaccount.cmich.edu and click on "Emergency Notification."